On day of change, Astros get decisive victory against Orioles

How did the Astros react to the trade of No. 1 starter Bud Norris for a prospect, a rookie and a draft pick?

By blowing out his new team.

Turning a four-run, second-inning advantage into one of their strongest victories of the year, the Astros downed the Baltimore Orioles 11-0 on Wednesday night at Camden Yards while Norris adjusted to his surroundings.

Jason Castro went 3-for-4 with eight total bases — including a fifth-inning grand slam — rookie Robbie Grossman hit his first home run, and rookie lefthander Brett Oberholtzer turned an unexpected spot appearance into seven innings of three-hit, no-run ball for his first career victory in his first career start.

“It started on the mound with Oberholtzer. What a tremendous job,” manager Bo Porter said. “It’s amazing what happens when you throw strikes, don’t put people on base. He did a great job of attacking the strike zone. Him and Castro were on the same page the whole night.”

Add Matt Dominguez going 4-for-5 with his 14th home run, and it was a much-needed breakout for a 36-70 club that entered the game just 2-9 since the All-Star break.

The Astros recorded 15 hits. Oberholtzer and rookies Chia-Jen Lo — making his MLB debut — and Jose Cisnero combined for a seven-hit shutout, walking none and striking out eight.

“It’s great,” said Oberholtzer, a starter at Class AAA Oklahoma City who’d been converted into a major league reliever this season. “I’ve been a starter my whole life. When I came up, put in the pen, I took that opportunity to try to get outs. That’s the name of the game. I like to start, and I feel like I could do it for a long time.”

The Astros’ 7-9 hitters went 8-for-14; Castro set a career high with four RBIs.

“That’s something we’ve been trying to do all year is just battling,” said Castro, who ranks fifth in the AL in doubles (29). “We’re trying to fight back late in the game — ninth-inning runs, even if we’re playing behind — that’s something we’ve been trying to take pride in a little bit.”